—
Although it was immediately undertaken to furnish these
permanent details of skilled personnel, it was apparent that the
company could not meet the demands made upon it, and function in
its normal capacity, without additional personnel.
Additional personnel were obtained from the line companies of
the Regiment and the company was reorganized to an extent which
enabled it to carry out successfully, all job assignments.
After the initial debarkation, the troops were given their
barracks assignments and unloading details were set up which worked
until 2400 hours that night.
The three succeeding days were spent in
completing the unloading of supplies and equipment.
During this
period, a major portion of the mechanics, welders and electricians
of the Heavy Maintenance Section were sent to the Islands of Runit
and Aomon to work with the line companies of the Regiment.
Staff section personnel found themselves at this time taking on
a much heavier load than they had previously handled, due to the fact
that the sections were doing double duty by handling the ISCOM business
as well as that of the Regiment.
On 2 January 1948, two Officers and twenty-nine enlisted men from
Company "E," 532nd EB & SR and two Officers and twenty-four enlisted
men from Company "D," 532nd EB & SR were assigned to Headquarters
Company, bringing the assigned strength up to one hundred and forty-
seven (EM).
The major portion of the newly assigned personnel not
absorbed into the various staff sections were assigned to the
Regimental Motor Pool as drivers, and into the LCVP and LCM boat
sections as coxswains, engineers and seamen.
.
Section VIb,., «.
51